BMI View: The dominant issue surrounding Namibia remains the devastating effects of the 2013 drought, which was one of area's worst for decades. According to the FAO, an estimated 780,000 people are food insecure as a result of the drought, of which about 331,000 are in need of assistance. Moreover, food security conditions are expected to deteriorate slightly in the country over the coming months. Although the government is trying to address the most immediate concerns, household incomes will be adversely affected by these conditions.

Looking towards the longer term, despite Namibia having relatively high per capita incomes of US$5,610 in 2012, the country's income distribution is among the worst in the world. While unemployment remains high (estimated by the World Bank at 40%), poverty has been on a downward trend for more than a decade. The Fourth National Development Plan (launched in 2012) aims to tackle these problems with a programme designed to run until 2017. However, the country's relatively small population and rising concerns about a looming energy crisis make Namibia less attractive than a number of other Sub-Saharan African countries for growth-seeking multinational food and drink companies.